Is That a Frozen Turkey in Your Carry-On or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

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In addition to dealing with mile-long lines of cranky holiday travelers, TSA agents can look forward to inspecting turkeys this Thanksgiving. The frozen birds are now allowed as carry-on items.

Richard Levine / Alamy

In addition to dealing with mile-long lines of cranky travelers who have to give up their cranberry sauce (but not their snow globes!), TSA agents can now look forward to inspecting turkeys this Thanksgiving.

According to new TSA guidelines, passengers are now allowed to fly with cooked or frozen turkeys—so long as they fit in an approved carry-on bag and that turkey doesn't leak.

Frozen turkeys must be completely frozen during the screening process and packed with ice packs or dry ice (though the FAA stipulates that bags of dry ice must be limited to five pounds each). Any turkey starting to thaw or leaking in any way will be confiscated.